"We are deeply saddened by Ryan's passing. Our hearts go out to his family as together we mourn the loss of our brother-in-arms," said Col. Derek Thomson, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) commander. "As we grieve this tragic loss, we will also draw strength from his memory as his mates continue to build the capacity of the Iraqi Army and enable the defeat of ISIS."

He enlisted in October 2016 and was promoted the rank of specialist in October 2018. He arrived in Iraq in December 2018 as part of his first deployment, Lt. Col. Martin L. O'Donnell, spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division, said.